Health & Safety Programs

The UAW Health and Safety Department provides Local Unions and their respective companies with:

• Assistance in negotiating health and safety programs,

• Workplace safety inspections,

• Reviewing injury/illness information and chemical exposure data,

• Conducting research,

• Participation in governmental and consensus standard setting,

• Developing joint health and safety training programs, and

• Delivering health and safety training.

The UAW is able to deliver high quality health and safety training free of charge (no instructor or material fees) at the worksite, on work time. This is accomplished with support from grants by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. Training can also be delivered at union halls, regional offices or other venues in the field.

Training topics include; hazard communication and hazardous chemicals; hazardous waste and emergency response; ergonomics; training to meet OSHA compliance needs for energy lockout, confined space entry and powered industrial trucks; training for worksite health and safety committees, and; OSHA outreach programs. Additional courses in workplace violence, bloodborne pathogens and critical incident response can also be provided. More detailed descriptions follow.

UAW training at the worksite is conducted by a full time safety training staff with support from a group of highly experienced peer safety trainers. These peer trainers are UAW members designated as Local Union Discussion Leaders who have specially prepared to deliver health and safety courses. Additionally UAW Health and Safety Staff who are highly experienced in specific areas of health and safety are used to augment training when needed, especially for training related to compliance with standards.

All UAW Health and Safety training is performance-based and emphasizes small group and hands on activities. Trainees experience first hand what it is like to use the equipment being trained or to participate in an actual or simulated safety activity.

UAW health and safety training is continuously evaluated by University of Michigan School of Public Health, and has been found effective. Continuing grant agency monitoring and oversight is another indicator of high quality training.

CHEMICAL HAZARDS

Hazard Communication – Right to Know (OSHA 1910.1200, MIOSHA Parts 92 and 430) - Required by OSHA for all workers, this basic 4-hour program tailored to a specific workplace includes rights under the standard, how to read material safety data sheets, how to recognize meaningful exposures, health effects of chemicals and protective measures specific for the workplace. This includes response to spills and leaks for workers not covered by HazWoper.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE-HAZWOPER (OSHA 1910.120, MIOSHA Part 432) 8-hour Awareness Program - This course is for persons who may be in the area of a spill but who are not performing defensive actions. It adds topics to the basic 4-hour Right to Know course: What to do in Case of an Emergency; HAZWOPER Requirements; Your Role in the Emergency Response Plan; Preventing Chemical Emergencies.

24-hour Industrial Emergency Response (Operations Level) - Hands-on training for those designated to take defensive action to control or clean up chemical spills, leaks, or other emergencies. This course combines small group discussion with hands-on exercises in 18 topics: Hazardous materials emergencies; Emergency response roles; Incident command; Chemical hazards and reading MSDS sheets; NIOSH pocket guide; DOT Guidebook; NFPA information; Emergency response plans and actions; Spill control procedures; Using air monitoring equipment; Donning and doffing air purifying respirators; SCBAs and other personal protective equipment; and Decontamination. The course ends with a planning session about putting the training to work.

40-hour Industrial Emergency Response (Technician Level) - Persons who take offensive actions like entering the hot zone to shut off valves or patch leaks must be trained to the Technician level. This course includes the 24-IER topics plus hands on exercises in stopping simulated leaks and dressing out in Level A protective gear.

8-hour Emergency Response Annual Refresher -Selected topics from the 24-hour program are covered to meet OSHA requirements for refresher training.

ERGONOMICS TRAINING

Ergonomic injuries – strain-sprain injuries, back disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome and other cumulative trauma disorders account for well over half the injury time off the job. UAW instructors are very experienced in the practical aspects of ergonomics. Training courses are delivered at three levels:

1-hour Shop Floor Awareness Presentation -Training for all employees. Topics include recognizing ergonomic stressors and the signs and symptoms of ergonomic disorders. Procedures on how to report ergonomic problems to local ergonomics committees is needed to support effective employee participation.

4-hour Leadership Awareness Program - Facility leadership gets more in-depth training on ergonomic stressors and related disorders, and a detailed description of how the ergonomics committee can work to implement the job improvement cycle.

40-hour Advanced Ergonomics for Joint Health & Safety Committees - The persons who actually implement the ergonomics program gain a broader

understanding of sources of health effects, methods of job analysis and abatement. The class ends with teams presenting analysis and proposed solution for jobs at the facility.

Office Ergonomics - A 5-hour program with a dedicated manual deals specifically with clerical and technical worksites.

GENERAL COMPLIANCE TRAINING

Awareness Training for Worksite Health and Safety Committees 8-hour Program. This course adds the following topics to the basic 4-hour Right-to-Know course described above: How OSHA Works Rights and Responsibilities; Effective Health and Safety Committees; and Hazard Recognition. Additional topics may be selected including: Workplace Inspections, Bloodborne Pathogens, Office Hazards, Methods for Controlling Hazards, and others.

Energy Lockout – Affected Worker (OSHA 1910.147, MIOSHA Part 85) 1 to 2-hour Awareness Program for the “Affected” and “Others” to recognize hazardous energy and how to protect themselves as well as recognizing when Lockout is in progress.

Energy Lockout – Authorized Worker 3 to 4-hour training for skilled trades, setup personnel and operators that remove or by-pass a guard or safety device to adjust, repair or replace or un-jam parts in machines or equipment. Includes recognition of hazardous energy and your facility LOTO Program and procedures.

Confined Space Entry Training (OSHA 1910.146, MIOSHA Part 90) A 3-hour awareness program covering the definition of Confined Space and Permit Required Confined Space (PRCS). Exercises in recognizing hazards and potential hazards in Confined Spaces and Labeling Confined Spaces.

8-hour Permit Required Confined Space (PRCS) Entrant, Attendant and Entry Supervisor Training - Adds to the topics of the Confined Space Entry Training including: requirements for a PRCS Entry Permit; responsibilities of Entrant, Attendant and Entry Supervisor; rescue requirements in PRCS; and PPE for entry.

Powered Industrial Truck (Forklift) for Operators (OSHA 1910.178, MIOSHA Part 21) - This program addresses the classroom portion of the training program required by OSHA standards for operators. It is also available with a Train-The-Trainer section to qualify facility personnel as trainers.

Electrical Safety (OSHA SubPart S) – 8-hour program for skilled trades and others who perform electrical work on/near exposed conductors 50V or more. Training provides comprehensive information on the requirements of Sub Part S, and the prevention of serious injuries from electrical hazards. NFPA 70E is also discussed. Electrical Hazard Awareness for others is also available. OSHA

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

(Completion Cards issued by OSHA Training Institute) 10-hour OSHA Standards and Hazard Recognition - Application of Standards to improve the workplace. Seven (7) Required Standards covered. Focus is on recognizing the Hazards.

30-hour OSHA Standards -Expands the number of Standards covered and is more in-depth. (24 hours of Required Topics) Arranging Training Ideally, before worksite training is launched, an onsite training needs assessment is conducted by a staff member. It includes a review written plans and programs, a walk around observation tour, and where warranted, technical assistance. This permits flexible training targeted on the specific needs of the workplace.

The UAW Health and Safety Department hopes to respond to the needs of your workplace and local union. The staff are happy to train jointly with local union representatives or management. Courses can also be delivered in Spanish.

Further information will be provided on request. To arrange a class, contact your regional office or appropriate national department.

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